Cotton Mary

The Ismail Merchant/James Ivory team has produced many successful films (A Room with a View, Howards End, The Remains of the Day, et al), as well as some noble disappointments (Jefferson in Paris, Surviving Picasso). Unfortunately, this one belongs in the latter group. Set in India, circa 1954, their latest collaboration concerns a haughty Indian nurse (Madhur Jaffrey, Heat and Dust) nicknamed for her highbrow taste in quality European cotton. Given the chance to worm her way into the good graces of a leftover colonial woman, Lily Macintosh (Greta Scacchi), who apparently suffers from post-partum depression, Mary makes herself indispensable by secretly relying on her lactating sister to provide milk for Lily's baby. As her influence in the Macintosh family grows, Mary eventually turns into the nanny from hell. Although the film is beautifully photographed, the oblivious nature of Lily and her husband (James Wilby) are among several character traits that strain credulity. A very optional purchase. (T. Rich)